Jim’s Zydeco Red Beans and Rice

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♼ Recipe origin is unknown. Jim’s zydeco red beans and rice recipe, recipe Rating: 4.5
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This is not an instant meal, but since no canned or “quickie” style meal has ever graced my table, I offer this one. It is done using traditional methods, but is well worth the time spent in preparation. You’ve never tasted anything like this, unless you’ve eaten red beans and rice along the Lafouche Bayou, in a town called LaRose, LA, that is. When all is ready, put a large scoop of rice in the bottom of a bowl, cover with red beans, butter some bread and crack your favorite beverage.

Ready in: 18 hours

Ingredients

Serves: 6

• 1 (1 pound) package dried red kidney beans
  
• 1 (15 ounce) can beef consomme
  
• 1 (10 ounce) can Ro*Tel(R) tomatoes and green chiles
  
• 2 fresh Italian (Roma) tomatoes, diced
  
• 1 medium onion, diced
  
• 2 bell pepers, diced (I use 1 green/1 yellow for color)
  
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  
• 4 – 6 redskin potatoes, quartered
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
  
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground sea salt
  
• 4 bay leaves
  
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (crushed)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
  
• 1 pound Italian sausage, angle cut 1/2 inch thick
  
• 1 pound Cajun style sausage, angle cut 1/2 inch thick
  
• 3 -4 cups boiled white rice (cooked separately)
  

Preparation method

Prep: 12 hours | Cook: 6 hours

1. Soak beans overnight (I warned you). Drain beans, then return hydrated beans to crock pot. Add beef consomme, then add enough water to cover beans by about 2 inches. Add, and mix in, all ingredients. Turn crock put on high until mixture begins to boil, about 30 minutes.

2. Let mixture boil for about two hours, then reduce heat to lowest setting and simmer until all ingredients such as potatoes and peppers are tender. This may take several hours.

3. When beans are nearing completion, wash and cook rice.Cook’s note:

In a large (6 qt) crock pot, this recipe can be doubled, to provide wonderful left-overs.